Interim Family Engagement Specialist - FINCH

WHAT IS AN INTERIM POSITION?

An interim position is a temporary assignment, providing an opportunity to utilize your skills and experience in a new capacity while maintaining the security of your original role. This means your previous position is held for your return, promoting continuity and stability while offering a chance to expand your skills. This is a developmental opportunity designed to broaden your expertise and contribute to the organization's success during a transitional phase. Interim roles are a great way for employees to get additional experience in a new role, including developing leadership skills, managing teams or projects, running meetings and communicating with community partners, and many more types of experiences, depending on the position. 

You are not at risk of losing your previous position at the end of the interim period; the position you came from will be yours to return to at the end of the interim position. Please note: having an interim role does not mean the employee is guaranteed the position on a permanent basis after the interim period is done. ​If at the end of the interim period the position is posted for hire, you will have the opportunity to apply. 

WHO WE ARE

The Road Home was founded in 1923 and has been a leader in the endeavor to end homelessness for over 100 years. We provide low-barrier emergency shelters, supportive services, and housing-first-minded rental assistance that helps individuals and families step out of homelessness and back into the community. We are seeking compassionate and empathetic individuals who are interested in making a difference in the lives of others and their community. 

The Road Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our mission to help people experiencing homelessness is strengthened by a highly qualified team with a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique strengths.

We welcome applicants from all walks of life who share our passion for ending homelessness, collaboration, and compassion. Together, we can create a supportive environment where every voice is heard, and every person has the opportunity to succeed.

The Road Home is a 501c3 non-profit social services agency whose mission is to help people step out of homelessness and back into our community.
Come be part of the solution.
We have a robust, reasonably-priced, and inclusive benefits plan for full and part-time employees (25-40 hours/week)

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• HSA, FSA, HRA (We reimburse part of your deductible!)
• Retirement Plan (403B with TRH contribution and match)
• FREE Life Insurance for employees
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 12 Public Holidays)
• One Floating Holiday Per Year
• Free Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Training & Development
• Tuition Assistance for a wide variety of classes!
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying agency

JOB SUMMARY

The Family Engagement Specialist will be the first point of contact for new families referred to the Family Interim Non-Congregate Housing (FINCH) Resource Center. They will oversee the new families entering and exiting from the Resource Center and will help provide basic necessities and support as these families work to resolve their homelessness. Every activity you undertake will provide someone safety and help them on their journey to housing. This position requires a high degree of compassion, problem solving skills, and respect for guests as you monitor sensitive personal data and work with families to help them find the resources they need to step out of homelessness and back into the community.

*Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. 

Reports to
Family Engagement Supervisor

Position Status
Full-Time, 40 hours

Shift/Schedule
Monday-Friday. Flexible Hours, between 7am-3pm, 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm.

Grade, Salary Rate
Grade 6, $18.90/Hour

FLSA Status
Non-Exempt

• Complete shelter intakes for families entering shelter, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality of collected data. 

• Help families access community resources, creatively problem-solve around barriers, and support progress toward stable housing and increased family stability. 

• Collaborate with families and Services team members to establish funding eligibility for newly arrived households. 

• Provide trauma-informed orientation to new families, reviewing shelter expectations, available supports, and in-shelter resources. 

• Gather required documents and create complete guest files for use across departments. 

• Assist families in applying for vital documents upon entry to shelter. 

• Support the maintenance and daily operations of shelter bed management systems. 

• Provide support, training, and assistance to Family Advocates and Case Management staff regarding intake processes and ClientTrack data entry. 

• Coordinate with multiple departments to ensure accurate, complete, and consistent client information, fostering good interdepartmental collaboration. 

• Professionally represent the Family Engagement Team in agency meetings and community partner interactions. 

• Attend weekly staff and case-staffing meetings. 

• Use agency vehicles to provide transportation for clients, as needed. 

• Attend mandatory agency trainings, including Trauma-Informed Care, Housing Focused, De-escalation, Suicide Prevention, CPR, and more.  

• Participate in emergency drills and environmental safety activities, as required. 

• Follow all agency protocols for security, safety, and sanitation to maintain a clean and secure environment for guests and staff. 

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance as an essential function of this position. 

Additional Job Functions - Crisis Management

1. Use agency-provided training to intervene in high-stress situations in a calm, effective, and trauma-informed manner. 

2. Collaborate with the Crisis Clinician to support guests experiencing mental or behavioral health challenges. 

3. Provide case management support during crises, including crisis intervention, outreach, short-term assessment, goal setting, problem-solving, and resource connection. 

4. Help families rebuild natural support networks and navigate difficult situations with compassion and respect. 

5. Maintain healthy professional boundaries and model trauma-informed communication.  

*Other duties as assigned. 

*Reasonable accommodations may be considered to enable all individuals to perform these essential functions, so please still apply. 

Promoting Best Practice

• Actively engage with and honor the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all individuals we serve.  

• Advance the agency’s commitment to honoring diverse ethnic and cultural heritages through daily actions that foster genuine belonging.  

• Implement Housing Focused principles, risk management strategies, and high-access services as foundational to our mission. 

• Maintain healthy boundaries using trauma-informed approaches in all interactions. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Experience working with diverse and/or vulnerable populations is preferred. 

2. Knowledge and experience with administrative duties including clerical tasks, data entry, computer literacy, and strong organizational skills is required. 

3. Lived, work, or volunteer experience in shelter services, social services, customer service, or another direct service role is preferred.  

SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS

1. Strong documentation, data entry, and file management skills, with strong attention to detail. 

2. Ability to remain calm, grounded, and compassionate during crises or high-stress situations while using trauma-informed practices.  

3. Strong organizational and time management skills to manage multiple tasks, intake steps, and documentation requirements.  

4. Ability to maintain healthy professional boundaries and uphold confidentiality.  

5. Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and community partners. 

6. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations. 

7. Provide thoughtful and attentive customer service by communicating clearly and handling difficult situations with professionalism, patience, and empathy. 

8. Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new software, databases, and technology tools. 

9. Ability to accept supervision, direction, and feedback with openness. 

10. Communicate clearly and effectively with clients, coworkers, and supervisors using verbal and written communication. 

11. Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

PHYSICAL AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and move heavy items up to 25 pounds. 

• Ability to sit, stand, and move for at least an hour at a time or more.  

• Must be at least 21 years old, have a valid, unexpired driver’s license, and the ability to drive a vehicle, as needed.